I'm just looking for any advice that anyone will have for my situation. So about 2 years ago I was diagnosed with anxiety, and the past several months it has been getting progressively worse, making me extremely depressed as well. I've tried 2 long-term medications. Lexapro and Zoloft, which both only made me worse. One of which actually put me in the hospital because it made me sick. For the last year or so I've been taking Xanax (as needed of course), and I've never had an issue with it. But the last week my anxiety has been through the roof. So I've taken it about a week straight, in a higher dosage. Therefore, my body has a dependency on it now. I'm trying not to take it anymore, I tried to taper off and take a lower dosage but it just won't work. It's pure hell. I go through a horrible depersonalization state when I don't take it. I'm thinking of buying an essential oil diffuser and seeing if that will help any. I'm just losing hope more and more and I would love to know if anyone has gone through this same situation and has any advice at all for me. It would be very very much appreciated. I just need my life back, this is horrible. Thank you!
You can't quit Xanax cold turkey, you need a psychiatrist to help you reduce dosage in a controlled way, possibly adding other medicines to help you with withdrawal symptoms. Xanax is a beast to come off ... talk to your doctor! And good luck, I tried and failed miserably, but hopefully we will have better luck! Do not attempt on your own!
I agree with lidia1972. As long as you've been on Xanax, you'll need help in getting off the meds. The crash is horrible and it will make your anxieties feel more intense. The doctor should provide another medication while you taper off. I'm on buspirone and it's been effective. I'm still working on the dosage but I did feel better after a week or two. Schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist. They are trained in this and can probably assist better than a general practioner.